Chair-back desk or stand.



1N0. 642,060. Patented Jan. 30, I900.

W. H. ANDERSON.

CHAIR BACK DESK AND STAND.

(Application filed Nov. 9, 1899.)

(No Mudei.) Y 2 Sheets-Sheet i.

WITNESSES THE roams PD'ERS c0 Pnmmm'mu WASHINGTON. u c

N0. B42,fi U-. Patented Jan. 30, [900. W. H. ANDERSON.

CHAIR BACK DESK AND STAND.

(Application filed Nov. 9, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

N VE N 70/? jZZZZZl/ldflf :Q/2d6/"8 01a.

A 7'7'OHNE Y TNE unms PETERS m. Pmmuwu. WAS

ppp STA PATENT OFFICE.

XVILLIAM II. ANDERSON, OF NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK.

CHAIR-BACK DESK OR STAND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 642,060, dated January 30, 1900.

Application filed November 9,1899. serial No. 736,322. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM HENRY AN- DERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Rochelle, in the connty of Vestchester and State of New York, have inven ted certain new and useful Improvements in Chair-Back Desks or Stands, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to desks, and especially to a portable device which may be screwed to the back of a chair.

One of the objects of this invention is to furnish a simple, inexpensive, effective, and compact device which may be utilized as a writing-desk or stand and which may be conveniently attached to the most common of all pieces of household furniture-to wit, a chair-thus making it universally available and of universally great importance when economy of space is necessary or desirable.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a plan view with a portion of the cover broken away. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the desk, showing it fastened in one of its positions to the back of a chair. Fig. 3 is a view of the bottom of the device. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the sliding clamp.

The frame is preferably formed of two parallel bars A, which are united by cross-bars B B and O O.

D is acover hinged to a cross-piece E.

F is a shelf hinged to the frame, preferably at a point which will allow of its being tilted to a level position when desired.

G is a support hinged to the free end of the shelf F, one end of which support may rest on a portion of the frame A and retain the shelf F in the desired elevated position.

H is a box which is slidably secured underneath the cover D by means of slides I, which are carried between the lower cross-bars O O and upper cross-bars B B. Each end of the box H preferably has a curved gripping-face of a contour suitable to take against one side of a chair-back. One of the cross-bars G has a correspondingly-curved grippingface.

L is a sliding clamp preferably provided with guiding members M M, which slide between the lower cross-bars O O and upper cross-bars B B in a manner corresponding to the boxslide I. The bearing-face of the clamp L is of a shape similar to that of the stationary clamping member O and is likewise adapted to bear against a chair-back or against the curved portion of the box H. The clamp L may be operated by the screw N, which passes through a screw-threaded opening in the cross-piece C.

By referring to Fig. 3 it will be seen that the box H may be moved longitudinally of the frame, while its extreme positions are limited by the curved face of the cross-piece O and the movable clamp L. In Fig. 2 the box H has been moved so that it abuts against the end piece 0, while a chair-back O has been gripped between the opposite face of the box H and the gripping-face of the sliding clamp L.

In Fig. 2 the device is shown attached to a chair having a curved back, and the curved clamps of the device grip the chair-back in such a manner that the desk is tilted to a convenient position for writing. The shelf F is here shown raised to a level, so as to 'form a convenient place to lay paper, ink,

pens, or other articles.

By changing the adjustment of the clamping members the position of the desk may be varied as desired and may be made to serve the purpose of a desk or stand. Obviously when the desk is used in the above-described manner as a stand it is not necessary to raise the shelf F, as the shelf when lowered forms a continuation of the cover D.

In order that the desk may be clamped to a chair which has high extending side arms or horns, the shelf F has been made narrow, so as to clear the same.

Another important feature of this device is that the chair may be clamped at either end of the box H. This novely of construction allows the center of gravity of the desk to be so placed with respect to its foundation that the maximum amount of stabilityis secured.

By pivotally attaching the guide members M M to the clamp L entire freedom of movement to the clamp is allowed, so that the clamp will accommodate itself to any slight dissymmetrical feature of the chair-back. This concific construction herein shown could be changed and altered in many ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

In use the box H forms a convenient and safe repository for any articles which itis desirable to place therein for safe keeping or protection. In the embodiment shown the cover D has been provided with a lock, al-

though, obviously, such detail of construction is optional. When it is desired to remove any article from the box H, access may readily be had thereto by si mplylifting the hinged cover D.

It will readily be understood that the box H could be dispensed with and a clamping member of desirable form substituted therefor; but it is preferred that this auxiliary clamping means be formed of a box for the useful purpose above outlined. In like manner could numerous other changes be made, which are too obvious to be herein described.

What I claim is V 1. In an attachment for chairs in combination, a frame, a top therefor, a stationary clamping member thereon, a movable clamp slidably mounted upon the said frame and means for actuating said movable clamp, and an intermediate clamping device slidably mounted upon the frame and located between said stationary clamp and said movable clamp for the purpose described.

2. In an attachment for chairs in combination, a cover, a frame, a stationary clamping member thereon, a movable clamp slidably mounted on said frame, and a box slidably mounted on said frame between said stationary clamp and said movable clamp.

3. In an attachment for chairs in combination, a cover, a frame, a stationary clamping member thereon, a movable clamp slidably mounted on said frame, means for moving said clamp, a box slidingly mounted on said frame between said stationary clamp and said movable clamp, a shelf hinged to said frame, and means for holding said shelf in a tilted position.

4. In an attachment for chairs in combination, a cover, a frame, a stationary clamping member thereon, a movable clamp, guides therefor, means for allowing a slight yielding movement of said clamp on said guides, and a box slidably mounted on said frame between said stationary clamp and said movable clamp.

5. In an attachment for chairs in combination, a hinged cover, a frame, a stationary clamping member thereon, a movable clamp slidably mounted on said frame, means for moving said clamp, and a box slidably mounted on said frame between said stationary clamp and said movable clamp.

6. In an'attachment for chairs in oombination, a cover, a frame, a stationary clamping member thereon, a movable clamp, guides pivotally attached to said clamp and slidably mounted on said frame between said stationary clamp and said movable clamp, a shelf hinged to said frame, and means for adjustably supporting said shelf.

WILLIAM H. ANDERSON. Witnesses:

R. O. MITCHELL, GEORGE T. HAoKLEY. 

